Strong Women
A place to learn a little more about the remarkable women who have inspired the brand and changed our world…
Frida Kahlo – Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, was a woman who lived her life unapologetically. Breaking down barriers, both as a woman and an artist, not only by defying beauty standards but by showing huge inner strength and resilience in overcoming adversity.
Tragically injured in a bus accident and left with life changing injuries, Frida began to paint self- portraits. She said ‘I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best.’
Her raw and emotional pieces often showed both her physical and psychological wounds, tackling many social taboos of the time and ensuring her place in history as a feminist icon for eternity.
Maya Angelou – A woman with unrelenting optimism and hope and someone who not only changed the world we live in but changed the way we think.
Oprah Winfrey says ‘Maya Angelou is not what she has done or written or spoken, it’s how she did it all. She moved through the world with unshakeable calm, confidence, and a fiery, fierce grace and abounding love.’
A writer, poet, filmmaker, actor, dancer and civil rights activist, Maya was and remains one of the most influential women of all time.
Savitribai Phule – The first female teacher of India and hailed as one of India’s first modern feminists, Savitribai Phule was ahead of her time by centuries.
A capable teacher, leader, thinker and writer, Savitribai played a pivotal role in women’s empowerment, opening her first school for girls in 1848.
During a time when women were considered mere objects, Savitribai used her voice to ignite a spark that led to social reform and equality in education, something which was impossible before.
Savitribai worked tirelessly to build a movement for equality and to fight against the caste system.
Joan of Arc – a founder of the feminist movement and recognised throughout history as a heroine, Joan helped to structure women’s rights and her bravery was fundamental in challenging gender roles in a medieval society.
A peasant girl, aged only 19 and dressed in men’s clothing, using her mental and physical resilience Joan led the French Army to a momentous victory in 1429.
Nearly 600 years later, the lessons taught to us by Joan of Arc ring true – to go forward bravely, to call on our inner strength and to remain determined whatever obstacles stand in our way.
Emmeline Pankhurst – Celebrating the woman who led a revolution. As leader of the suffragette movement Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned ardently for women to achieve the right to vote.
At moments in our own lives when we need to take a stand, we can draw inspiration from the courage of the suffragettes, who dared to be brave and work for change. A force to be reckoned with – their strength lay in their solidarity, courage and unity.
A creative whirlwind, the suffragettes were constantly devising new ways to catch the attention of politicians and the public and Emmeline galvanised women as they fought to be granted the same electoral rights as their male peers.
Virginia Woolf – Virginia Woolf was a woman who helped to reshape the world around her. Considered one of the most important modernist authors, she was a great lover of language and a feminist icon.
Her words ‘No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself’ resonate as much today as they did in the early 20th century.
Best known for her novels To the Lighthouse and Mrs. Dalloway, her writing, lectures and public speaking influenced societies shift towards inclusion, diversity and equality, a legacy that endures to this day.
Amelia Earhart – Amelia was a trailblazer who left a profound impact on the American psyche – and paved the way for a whole new generation of women.
An aviation pioneer and the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, female astronauts often point to Amelia as their inspiration for daring to attempt such a challenging and dangerous career.
A woman who lived her life on her own terms, Amelia fought against convention and pursued her dreams, regardless of what the world around her thought. Today we celebrate Amelia’s courage, tenacity and her enduring accomplishments that changed aviation forever.